Local Hedge Groups
The Blackdown Hills Hedge Association
An enthusiastic group of people working and living on the Blackdown Hills who are dedicated to preserving the craft of hedge laying and other allied skills in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Website Blackdown Hills Hedge AssociationDevon Hedge Group
The Devon Hedge Group is a forum of organisations and individuals interested in working together to promote the appreciation and conservation of hedges found across Devon. Members of the Group represent the full range of interests associated with hedges in Devon, including agriculture, the conservation of wildlife and landscape, and historical and cultural values.
Formed in 1994, it has been steadily growing in strength and influence. It has succeeded in generating a great deal of media attention, and has already done much to raise the profile of hedges in the county. Each year it organised a Devon Hedge Week, usually in October, where 20 or more events are staged across the county, and a Devon Hedge Competition. The group has also produced a number of quality publications, including an award winning hedge pack, and we have been commended by a House of Commons Select Committee for our work.
The Devon Hedge Group has produced a pack of information leaflets about the history, wildlife and management of the county’s hedges.
For more information about the Devon Hedge Group, visit the Devon County Council Website
Devon Rural Skills Trust
The Devon Rural Skills Trust aims to retain traditional rural skills by promoting rural skills training through specific one day courses and rural skills apprenticeships.
Website Devon Rural Skills TrustDurham Hedgerow Partnership
The Durham Hedgerow Partnership brings together farmers, landowners, local authorities and nature conservation groups committed to promoting the appreciation and conservation of County Durham’s Hedgerows.
One way in which the Partnership is helping to conserve these important features is through the Field Boundary Restoration Grant Scheme. With funding from Local Authorities and the County Durham Environmental Trust, grants are available for hedgerow restoration and planting in Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Darlington and County Durham.
To promote the protection, restoration and management of hedgerows the group have also produced guidance sheets and cards on hedgelaying, trimming, coppicing, and hedge planting. The partnership also organises the annual Durham Hedgelaying and Dry Stone Walling Competition which help to raise awareness and promote good practice in the skills and techniques of field boundary management.
This years competition is being held on Saturday 16th October 2010 at Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG.
For further information about the Durham Hedgerow Partnership visit the Durham County Council Website
Somerset Hedge Group
The Somerset Hedge Group is a forum of individuals and organisations working to promote best practice in hedge management, raise awareness and appreciation of the value of hedges and protect our hedge network across the county. Current members represent landscape, wildlife conservation, farming and archaeology but new members are always welcomed from those with an interest in Somerset hedges. For more information please visit the Somerset Hedge Group website.
Hedge Laying Association of Ireland (HLAI)
The HLAI, which is registered as a public limited company, was founded in 2004 by a group of hedge layers and other interested individuals.
Website Hedge Laying Association of IrelandLancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Association
The Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Asssociation are a group of volunteers working to promote the Lancashire and Westmorland style of hedge laying. Each year the association organises a programme of competitions and training days.
Grand Prix Competition Calendar 2010 - 11
- November 6th. - Arnside and Silverdale Cumbria
- December 4th. - Yorkshire Dales North Yorkshire
- January 22nd. - - Wyre and Myerscough Lancashire
- February 5th. - Friends of the Lake District Cumbria
- February 19th. - Hy Fly Pressall Lancashire
- March 5th. - Forest of Bowland Lancashire
For more details, please see the Grand Prix 2010/11 programme and the National Hedgelaying Society website.
National Hedge Laying Society (NHLS)
Formed in 1978 the society aims to encourage the craft of hedge laying and keep the local styles in existence, train young people in the craft, encourage landowners to manage hedges by laying and improve standards of laying.
The NHLS organises the National Hedge Laying Championships, which takes place annually in October.
Website National Hedge Laying Society
Wychwood Project hedgelaying group
The Wychwood Project hedgelaying group undertakes regular hedgelaying and hedge restoration activities in the Wychwood Forest Area.
Website Wychwood Project hedgelaying groupCornish Hedges Library
The Cornish Hedges Library was started in 1994 to supply a definitive source of knowledge about Cornwall's hedges, built of stone, stone-and-earth or turf, many of them several thousand years old. The papers cover all aspects of their history, landscape, wildlife, building, repair and maintenance of Cornish hedges to continue this ancient craft, also including the effects of flailing, historic features, stone stiles, the rabbit problem, garden hedges, trees, roads and verges, hedge ownership, dating hedges, technical data and hedge-building specifications.
The Cornish Hedges Library, Picture Gallery, The Hedge (& Wall) Importance Test, AONB-supported Cornish Hedges Education Pack, and The Guild of Cornish Hedgers are all on www.cornishhedges.co.uk.
